Britain Cutting Army by a Fifth

British military armored vehicles arrive to the scene after one of their armored vehicles was hit by an improvised explosive device, killing six British soldiers in Lashkar Gah, Helmand, Afghanistan,... (AP Photo/Abdul Khaleq)

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The British Army is taking a sizable cut as part of the government's austerity drive. The country's defense secretary unveiled plans yesterday to cut the force's 102,000 troops to 82,000 by the end of this decade, axing a total of 17 units and merging others, the Guardian reports. The number of reservists will double under the military's plan to create a "balanced, capable and adaptable force" for the future, he said.

The defense secretary admitted that Army morale was "fragile," but said the cuts were necessary because of the "shocking mess“ the previous government had made of the military budget. Critics warned that the cuts could leave the country vulnerable if the next decade proves to be no more peaceful than the last one. "Jobs and military capability have been lost and tradition and history have been sacrificed,” said the opposition Labour Party’s defense spokesman, according to AP. “This isn’t just a smaller army. It’s also a less powerful army in a less influential nation.” (Read more Britain stories.)

just heard on the radio.and then went to the internet because i could not believe what i was reading.it said because of the Olympic security.britain is taking in 200 000 foreign troops from the EU.and America,they will be based in Wooledge,i assume that britain will be paying them.when we are getting rid of our own troops.has Cameron gone mad again.or will he again change his mind.remember when he went to Pakistan.gave them billions of British tax payers money to build their students new schools to help them.then came home to britain and put up the university fees for our students,is this madness or not.what must our soldiers think what must the British people think no wonder he is now bottom of the voting scheme.did he ever go to school.if so what did he ever learn.in Spain i just heard they have said their government has got to take cut backs like every one else the consulets which was 92 have been cut back to 26.and now they are looking into their wages.we need now not later a government who thinks for the British people first and last.no more giving our work away.our people need the work.no more giving big benefits away to foriengners who are coming into britain.give them to the British.know wonder the British people are angry .and cannot trust any politician.

brucke

Jul 7, 2012 8:13 AM CDT

Doesn't need a big army to defend anything when its got battleships that can take out ballistic missiles before they've even hit the air. Technology and intelligence is the way battles are fought now. The future of war is cyberwarfare, state sponsored terrorism and espionage.

jackpine

Jul 7, 2012 4:58 AM CDT

If you cut the United States military budget in half we would still spend more than China, Russia, the UK, France and Japan combined. Our intelligence spending is way out of proportion too.